I have recently lost then found this little pamphlet belonging to my mother from The Needlework Development Scheme for which she did many designs. as I gather it was to encourage women and children to take up embroidery and stitching generally, teaching how to use the basic embroidery stitches to embellish home dressmaking toys and articles for the home. Where could you be without a hand embroidered antimacassar, needle case, or exquisitely decorated, starched apron? It must have been a constant worry... Sadly the front cover is lost ...

I thought the whole leaflet had been thrown away with a stack of old magazines which I had taken to recycling, and an afternoon was wasted searching through books and mag stacks, ringing Ashford Borough Council to see if they would let me rummage headfirst in the recycling bin, to no avail, then it turning up with a grin on it's face saying it had been there all the time, and the relief was huge. I do love these old treasures.

So just for now here are some images from this little work. The dolls are incredibly frightening but worth examining. And the best of all pictures, the two demure little girls, Morag and Elizabeth, in their ankle socks earnestly contemplating a piece of gingham in their little drapery store. I can't help thinking what our modern equivalent would be, though it's great to have so much interest in these skills now. (I managed to stop myself being scathing and strike a more positive note there did you notice?)

Anyway hope you like them ... comments always enjoyed! Incidentally, I have a backlog of blogposts to post, as I really am going hell for leather to get the new kits out there. But they are on their way! My lovely ladies will now be receiving some kits to sample for me (this week hopefully) and the Colour/Stitch cards are coming in the next day or so. Pictures coming as soon as I have them! There are three packs of three cards to colour and stitch!